There are elephants of the Department of Tourism and jeep of the Forest Department to take the tourists around the park with guide and spotlight. There are 5 watchtowers from where animals can be observed and photographs taken.

The Department of Tourism also operates conducted tours to the sanctuary from Ranchi.

Accommodation :

Tourist Lodge, Tourist Cottage, Janta Lodge, Dormitory, and Forest Rest House.

For reservation, contact Field Director, Palamau Tiger Reserve, Daltonganj.

Air : Nearest Airport is at Ranchi (161 km)

Rail :Nearest Railway Station is at Daltonganj (24 km)

Bus : Buses from Daltonganj to the Park in the early morning and late afternoon.

Regular buses to Ranchi, Gaya from Daltonganj.

This holy place is situated on the bank of river Niranjana (Falgu), 12 km from Gaya, where the quest of Prince Siddhartha was fulfilled after the years of seeking the Truth. He attained the supreme enlightenment and became "the Buddha ". Thus Buddhism was born here under the Peepal tree. The present Bodhi Tree (Peepal tree) is probable fifth in succession of the original tree under which the Buddha had attained, the

Parinirvan on Vajrasana, the seat of stability. The Buddha is supposed to have sat in meditation facing east, under the tree, where the Vagrasana, the stone platform is kept.

The Mahabodhi Temple stands east to the Bodhi Tree. Its basement is 48-sq. ft. and it rises in the form of a slender pyramid, till it reaches its neck, which is cylindrical in shape. The total height of the temple is 170 feet. Inside the temple in the main sanctum, on an altar, is a colossal image of the Buddha in a sitting position touching the earth by his right hand. In this very posture the Buddha accomplished the supreme enlightenment. The statue is of black stone but it has been gilded by the devotees. The entire courtyard of the temple is studded with a large number of variety of stupas.

These stupas are of all sizes, built during the past 2500 years. Most of them are extremely elegant in structural beauty. It may be mentioned here that the Buddha himself was against image worship. Hence in beginning, stupas containing relics, were worshipped. Buddha was symbolized through Bodhi Tree, Vajrasana or empty cave etc.

There is an impressive Torana i.e., granite gate, to the east of the temple. There are Animeshalochana, Chankramana, Ratnagar, lotus tank and one Ashokan Pillar.

Other Buddhist places directly connected with Buddha's life are, 1. Lumbini (Nepal) where Buddha was born 2. Sarnath (Near Varanasi) : where he first preached his first message after enlightenment 3. Kushinagar (Near Gorakhpur) : where he died.

Air : Nearest Airport is at Patna (188 km)

Rail : Nearest Railway Station is Gaya (12 km)

Bus : Regular buses to Gaya.

Gaya is second only to Varanasi in its sanctity and pilgrims believe that offering pindas (funeral cakes) here will free their ancestors from the bondage to the earth.

The famous Vishnu Pad Temple attracts a large number of Hindu pilgrims from different parts of the country. The present temple was constructed by Maharani Ahalya Bai of Indore in 1787. The temple is situated on bank of the Falgu river. (Non Hindus are not allowed into the temple interior). The temple is surmounted by a thirty meters high octagonal tower, in-side which there is a 47 cm long foot print of Vishnu is imprinted a solid rock and surrounded by a silver plated basin. Gaya museum is centrally located.

Air : Nearest Airport is at Patna (152 km)

Bus: Regular buses to Buddh Gaya, Nalanda, and Patna.

Rail :

This hill resort is in Damodar Valley, surrounded by picturesque hills and forest on all sides. Hazaribagh with its pleasant climate and scenery, is very popular especially in the rains and the autumn.

Hazaribagh National Park is 19 km from the town. Divisional Forest officer, West Division, Hazaribagh operates conducted tour to Hazaribagh National Park provided there are minimum of 8 visitors.

Canary Hill : The hill stands just on the out skirt of the town. From the top of the hill, one can have a panoramic view of the town. It is also a very popular picnic spot.

Air : Nearest Airport is at Ranchi (91km)

Rail : Nearest Railway Station is Hazaribagh Road (50 km)

Bus : Regular buses to Hazaribagh National Park, Gaya, Ranchi etc.

It is 19 km from the Hazaribagh Town. The Sanctuary has an abundance of wild life such as tiger, panther wild boar, sambhar, chital, sloth bear etc. 1970 census of wild animals has established the presence of 14 tigers, 25 panthers and 400 sambhars.

Main gate of the sanctuary is at Pokhaira 21 km from Barhi and 19 km from Hazaribagh. There is 10 masonry towers strategically located, offer excellent facility for viewing the denizens of the wild.

Divisional Forest Officer, West Division, Hazaribagh Town, operates conducted tour to sanctuary, provided there are minimum 8 visitors.

Accommodation : Tourist Cottage and Tourist Lodges.

Air : Nearest Airport is at Ranchi (107 km)

Rail : Nearest Railway Station is Hazaribagh Road (69 km)

Bus : Regular buses to Patna, Gaya, Ranchi, Dhanbad, Daltonganj.

A village about 25 km north west of Bettiah, has Lion pillar of Ashoka and some ancient mounds. The pillar's shaft is formed of a single block of polished sand stone and it stands a km away from the east of the village. It is 32 feet and 9 1/2 inches in height with a diameter at base of 35.5 inches and of 26.2 inches at top. The pillar is inscribed with the edicts of Ashok.

There is a another pillar at Nandangarh that stands on the direct route from Bettiah to Nepal. There are no traces of any buildings near this 2000 years old pillar.

Air : Nearest Airport is at Patna (308 km)

Rail : Nearest Railway Station is Bettiah (25 km)

Bus : Regular buses to Bettiah (25 km)

Only 12 km from Rajgir, is Nalanda that once was a suburb of the ancient capital of the mighty Mogadh Empire. Later Nalanda grew into a great center of learning and one of the most famous university citadels of ancient times. Attracting scholars from China, Japan, Korea, Tibet, Ceylon etc. through it was established in the 5^th century, yet its importance as a monastic residential university continues undiminished until the end of the 12^th century. It was destroyed by Mohammad Bakhtiyar in 1205 AD The ruins of the university can be still seen here. But in its days of glories, some ten thousand monks and students lived here in a monastic discipline. The ruins of Nalanda extend over a large area and represent only a part of the extensive establishment. Excavations have uncovered nine levels of occupation and construction of six Monasteries. Once 2000 teachers and 10,000 students crowded its portals.

Places of Interest :

1. The ruins of the Nalanda University with a number of Buddhist Chaitya or places of worship and Viharas or hostels (Cells or rooms on four sides with a central court yard). The total area of excavation is about 14 hectors.

2. Museum : Nalanda Museum has a good collection of Buddhist and Hindu images of Gupta, Pala and other periods. Also cooper plate inscriptions, stone inscriptions, coins, pottery and samples of burnt rice found in the ruins, are kept here.

3. Nav Nalanda Mahavihara : The Pali Post graduate research institute, known as Nav Nalanda Mahavihara is devoted to study and research in Pali literature and Buddhism. Many students from Asian and Far - Eastern countries study in this institute.

Accommodation : Nalanda Rest House

Air : Nearest Airport is at Patna (90km)

Bus : Regular buses to Rajgir, Gaya, Patna.

Netarhat stands on a plateau of Chhotanagpur, covered with thick virgin forests, barren rocks and verdant hillocks at an altitude of 3622 ft. above sea level. The sunrise and sunset views from here are very fascinating and rare in Eastern India. This hill resort is only 156 km from Ranchi.

Places of Interest :

1. Sunrise View : Netarhat is famous for its unique sunrise view from Tourist Bungalow and Palamau Bungalow.

2. Magnolia Point : 10 km from Netarhat. This is ideal site for sunset view. Sun set can also be seen from Netarhat Public School.

3. Upper Ghagri Water Falls : 6 km from Netarhat. It is a popular picnic spot.

4. Lower Ghagri Water Falls : 10 km from Netarhat. It is a popular picnic spot with beautiful scenery and thick evergreen forest.

5. View Tower : Situated near Forest Bungalow from where scenic beauty of Netarhat can be seen.

Excursion :

1. Lodh Falls : 61 km (Jeepable Road). It is one of the biggest water falls of Bihar, where water falls from a height of 468 ft.

2. Sadni Falls : 35 m (jeepable Road). It is snake type water fall.

3. Betla National park : 215 km via Kuru and 104 km via Banari (jeepable forest road).

Accommodation : Tourist Bungalow, Palamau Bungalow, Forest Rest House, P.H.E.D. Rest House, P.W.D. Inspection Bungalow, Revenue Bungalow, Rest House-Cum-Panchayat Canteen, Youth Hostel.

Air : Nearest Airport is at Ranchi (156 km)

Rail : Nearest Railway Station is Ranchi (156 km)

Bus : Regular buses to Gumbla, Ranchi and Daltonganj.

Palamau National Park is also popularly known as Betla National Park. Betla is the park headquarters. The park area is 928.12 sq. km. with core area of 201.61 sq. km. and the buffer zone of 726.51 sq. km.

The Choro King's palace and forts are situated at the north corner of the park, alongside Auranga river. Purana and Naya Quilas are mute evidences of their progressive prosperity.

An excellent all-weather road connects park with Daltonganj and Ranchi. 128 km of fair weather roads criss-crossing the park for motorists to roam about in the dense forests. There are two masonry towers at Barwahi and Madhuchuan, two wooden towers at Chaturbathwa and Hathibhajwa and a tree-top tower at Kamaldah offers excellent opportunity of observing animals at water holes.

Animals residing in this park area are Tiger, Panther, Sloth bear, Wild Boar, Sambhar, Nilgai, Kakar, Chinkara, Chowsingha, Mouse deer, Dhole, Pangolin, and Peafowl etc. The park is open throughout the year but February to April are best months for visiting the park. The nearest gasoline stations are at Chipadohar [11 km] and Daltonganj [24 km] from Belta, the park headquarters. Departmental vehicles are available for hire for going into the park.

Accommodation : FRH and Janta Cottage at Betla. FRH at Kerh, Kechki, Mundu, Barwadih and Lat. Kerh, Mandu and Lat have no electricity.

Air : Nearest Airport is at Ranchi (161 km)

Rail : Nearest Railway Station are at Barwadih and Daltonganj. (24 km) on Gomoh-Dehri On Sone Broad Gauge Line.

Bus : Regular buses to Gomah, Ranchi and Dehri On Sone etc.